Kimberly Lyons

Kimberly Lyons is an assistant vice president and analyst with Moody’s Investors Service, serving as lead analyst for several states, including Georgia, Idaho, Minnesota and North Carolina. Lyons is also co-president of Northeast Women in Public Finance, which provides mentoring, career development, educational and networking opportunities for women in the industry. Early in her career, she learned that it took more than hard work to advance. “I had to learn the hard way, and definitely with some guidance from my mentor, that I have to be able to increase my visibility, be heard and find my voice in order for me to get promotions and move forward,” says Lyons. Having great mentors also served her well. “Being able to identify key players along my career progression has helped me tremendously. The advice and objective feedback that these women have provided me have been invaluable and definitely helped my career,” she says.

Lyons is a founding member of Moody’s Multicultural Employee Group, an affinity group that comprises many ethnicities within the company and whose mission is to explore and celebrate the diverse cultures within the organization. She is proud to be the first in her immediate family to receive a master’s degree. “There are so many other ways that my life could have turned out and it didn’t. I think I measure my success by what I’ve had to overcome,” says Lyons.

Over the next few years, she sees herself continuing to climb the corporate ladder and becoming more engaged in philanthropy. “This is just the beginning. I plan on having much more success,” she declares.

Lyons graduated from the University of Albany-State University of New York with a bachelor’s degree in sociology and received a master’s in public administration from the University of Albany Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy.